Shoe Comprising A Ventilation In the Bottom Zone Of the Upper And Air-Permeable Spacing Structure Usable Therefor

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a shoe ( 10 ) comprising an upper arrangement ( 12 ) and a sole ( 14 ). The upper arrangement ( 12 ) has a top upper material ( 16 ) and an air-permeable layer ( 40 ) that is disposed at the bottom of the upper. The air-permeable layer ( 40 ) is disposed in a bottom zone of the upper arrangement ( 12 ) above the sole ( 14 ) and has a three-dimensional structure which allows air to flow therethrough at least in the horizontal direction. At least one air passage opening ( 20 ) is disposed in the lower circumferential zone of the top upper material ( 16 ) near the sole. Said opening ( 20 ) is connected to the air-permeable layer ( 40 ) in such a way that air can be exchanged between the surroundings and the air-permeable layer ( 40 ) via the air-permeable layer ( 40 ).

The invention pertains to shoes with ventilation beneath the sole and with the transport of sweat moisture through layers beneath the foot to improve the climate comfort of such shoes.

In earlier times, shoes had either a certain water vapor permeability in the sole area, also called breathability, as a result of the use of a shoe sole material such as leather, with the drawback of water permeability in the sole area, or shoes were watertight in the sole area, but were also water vapor impermeable in the sole area as a result of the use of outsoles made of a waterproof material, such as rubber or a rubber-like plastic, with the drawback that sweat moisture could accumulate in the foot sole area.

Recently, shoes that are waterproof and also water vapor-permeable in the foot sole area have been created by perforating their outsoles with through-holes and covering the through-holes with a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane arranged on the inside of the outsole, so that no water can penetrate into the shoe interior from the outside, but sweat moisture that forms in the foot sole area can escape outward from the shoe interior. Two different solutions have been pursued here. Either the outsole has been provided with vertical through-holes that pass through its thickness, through which sweat moisture can be guided from the shoe interior to the walking surface of the outsole, or the outsole has been provided with horizontal channels through which sweat moisture that has accumulated above the outsole can escape through the side periphery of the outsole.

Examples of the first solution, in which the outsole has vertical through-openings that pass through its thickness, are shown in EP 0 382 904 A1, EP 0 275 644 Al, and DE 20 2007 000 667 UM. A sole composite according to EP 0 382 904 A1 has a lower sole part equipped with microperforations, an upper sole part, also equipped with perforations, and a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane between these. The outsole in shoes according to EP 0 275 644 A1 is provided with relatively large-area vertical through-holes in order to acquire higher water vapor permeability, and a water vapor-permeable protective layer is arranged between it and the outsole for mechanical protection of the membrane. The outsole in shoes according to DE 20 2007 000 667 UM is provided with relatively large-area vertical through-holes in order to acquire greater water vapor permeability, which holes are closed with a water vapor-permeable protective layer. This type of outsole is attached to a waterproof shaft arrangement, so that a waterproof shoe is present.

Examples of the second solution, in which the outsole has horizontal ventilation channels running parallel to its walking surface, are known from EP 0 479 183 B1, EP 1 089 642 B1, EP 1 033 924 B1, and JP 16-75205 U.

The outsole in a shoe according to EP 0 479 183 B1 is provided on its side that faces away from the walking surface with a protruding outsole edge on its outer periphery, which is penetrated with microperforations which extend horizontally, i.e., parallel to the walking surface. In the space formed within the outsole edge, a spacer element with transverse webs protruding from the outsole is arranged, which can be embodied as a single piece with the outsole. An inner band belonging to the spacer element, which is also penetrated by horizontally running through-holes, is situated within the outsole edge and spaced from it. A water vapor-permeable inlay sole or insole is situated above the spacer element, wherein beneath the outer peripheral area of said insole, a last insert of a shaft consisting of water vapor-permeable material is inserted, which is situated on the inside of the inner band of the spacer element. A waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane, extending upward roughly perpendicular from the inside of the outsole, is situated between the outsole edge with the horizontal microperforations and the inner band with the horizontal through-holes. Because of this membrane, on the one hand, water is prevented from penetrating between the webs and into the shoe interior, but on the other hand, sweat moisture that has reached between the webs from the shoe interior can theoretically reach the outside of the sole structure. However, the sweat moisture must then penetrate not only the membrane but also the microperforations of the outsole edge, the through-holes of the inner band, and the shaft material.

In the case of EP 1 089 642 B1 the outsole is provided on its side that faces away from the walking surface with an upper edge web on the outer periphery, in the top of which ventilation channels that pass through the edge web are made, and with hemispherical protrusions in a sole area within the edge web. An upper sole element is arranged on the top of the outsole, which upper sole element lies on the edge web and on the protrusions of the outsole and has a water vapor-permeable area covered with a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane, with an extension roughly equal to that of the area of the outsole that is provided with the protrusions. Sweat moisture that collects in the space between the outsole and the sole element in which the protrusions of the outsole are situated can theoretically escape through the ventilation channels in the edge web of the outsole.

EP 1 033 924 B1 shows a shoe with an outsole having an outer peripheral edge protruding from an inside of the outsole, which edge is perforated by horizontal ventilation channels, i.e., channels running parallel to the walking surface of the outsole. The outsole is attached to a shaft, which has a lower shaft area on the sole side, which area has a last insert connected to the bottom of a peripheral area of a perforated inlay sole. A waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane is arranged in the space formed within the last insert on the bottom of the inlay sole. An air-permeable material constructed with fibers, for example from felt, is situated in the outsole space formed within the protruding outer peripheral edge. Sweat moisture that has reached the air-permeable material through the perforated inlay sole and the membrane can diffuse into the outer environment through the horizontal ventilation channels of the outer peripheral edge of the outsole. Water that has reached the air-permeable material through the ventilation channels, however, is prevented by the membrane from reaching the shoe interior through the inlay sole. A nail-protection plate is situated on the inside of the outsole, so that the shoe is suitable as a safety shoe.

A shoe in which the two above-mentioned solutions are combined is known from JP 16-75205 U. The sole structure of this shoe has a perforated inlay sole, an outsole, which is provided on its upper side that faces the shoe interior with horizontally running grooves that open to the outside of the outsole periphery, and through-holes that extend from these grooves to the walking surface, and has a waterproof, water vapor-permeable membrane arranged on the bottom of the inlay sole, and a protective layer, for example made of felt, arranged between the membrane and the outsole. A lower end area of a shaft on the sole side is inserted in the form of a last insert on the bottom of a peripheral edge area of the inlay sole. While the membrane has the same area as the inlay sole, the protective layer is situated in the same plane as the last insert and the protective layer extends only between the inside edge of the last insert. The horizontally running grooves are open to the outer environment on the peripheral area of the outsole. Sweat moisture can therefore diffuse from the shoe interior through both the vertical through-holes to the outside of the walking surface of the outsole and through the horizontal grooves to the outer peripheral side.

Especially in shoes whose outsole is not provided with vertical through-holes penetrating its thickness or, for safety reasons, for example, cannot be provided with such through-holes because of the requirement of a nail-protection plate, but even in shoes whose outsole is provided with such vertical through-holes, it is desirable to create a ventilation system in an area beneath the foot sole with which a noticeable increase in climate comfort in the foot sole area can be achieved.

From this standpoint, the present invention creates a shoe according to claim 1 and an air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28, suitable for such a shoe.

The core of the invention is a ventilation space beneath the foot sole, defined by an air-permeable spacer structure, which permits efficient transport of sweat moisture (water vapor) that has reached beneath the foot through the layers.

A shoe according to the invention has a shaft arrangement and a sole, the shaft arrangement having an outer shaft material and an air-permeable layer arranged in a shaft bottom. The air-permeable layer is arranged in a lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side, above the sole. The air-permeable layer has a three-dimensional structure that permits air passage in at least the horizontal direction. The outer shaft material has at least one air-passage opening in a lower peripheral area on the sole side, by means of which a connection can be produced between the air-permeable layer and the outer environment of the shoe, such that air exchange between the outer environment and the air-permeable layer can occur. In this way, heat and water vapor can be removed from the area of the shaft arrangement situated above the air-permeable layer, for example, by means of convective air exchange through the air-permeable layer.

Since the at least one air-passage opening in the solution according to the invention, which permits the efficient removal of sweat moisture in conjunction with the air-permeable layer, is not formed in the outsole, where it cannot be particularly large from the standpoint of outsole stability and, especially in a shoe with a rather thin outsole, for aesthetic reasons, but in a lower peripheral area of the outer shaft material on the sole side, where the air-passage opening can be made comparatively large without a problem, a situation is already achieved for better air exchange and therefore a greater water vapor removal capability than in a shoe whose at least one air-passage opening is formed in the outsole.

The shaft arrangement with the air-permeable layer has the additional advantage that the air-permeable layer positioned between the at least one air-passage opening and the shoe interior can extend directly to the inside of the shaft outer material and is not limited, as in the known solutions according to EP 1 033 924 B1 and JP 16-75205 U, to the interior space between the last insert edge of the outer shaft material. For example, in glue-lasted shoes, the air-permeable layer is situated above the glue-lasted insert and can therefore provide a larger exchange surface for water vapor and heat of the foot sole. The air-permeable layer in the solution according to the invention can therefore have a significantly larger surface area than in the known solutions, with a correspondingly larger exchange surface and therefore water vapor removal capacity.

The solution according to the invention and the high water vapor passage and air exchange effect achieved with it are advantageous both in shoes that need not be waterproof because they are only used in dry areas, for example, work shoes in an assembly plant, and in shoes that are also worn outdoors and may therefore be exposed to wetness.

For the latter case, a variant of the invention is used whereby, at least in a lower area of the shaft arrangement that faces the sole, an at least water vapor-permeable functional layer is provided, the air-permeable layer being arranged beneath the functional layer. In one variant, the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the water vapor-permeable functional layer. In one variant of the invention, the functional layer is waterproof and water vapor-permeable.

In one variant of the invention, both a shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottom functional layer are provided, so that water vapor permeability with simultaneous water-tightness is achieved, both for the shaft and for the shaft-bottom area of the shoe.

In another variant of the invention, a waterproof and water vapor-permeable functional layer is situated in the shaft-bottom area, for example, in the form of a functional layer laminate, wherein the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the functional layer or the functional layer laminate. In conjunction with this variant, one advantage of the invention lies especially in the fact that through the at least one air-passage opening, in cooperation with the air-permeable layer, an air exchange and therefore a removal of sweat moisture and heat are made possible. The diffusion path that limits efficiency, which the water vapor must travel initially from the bottom of the foot to the air-permeable layer, is minimized by choosing the thinnest possible layer structure of the functional layer and the heat transfer is maximized. If water vapor has reached the air-permeable layer, it is additionally transported away convectively by the air flow, so that the water vapor partial pressure difference between the two sides of the functional layer is permanently kept at a high level. No additional layers need be overcome. The water vapor partial pressure difference between the two sides of the functional layer is a driving force for the efficient removal of sweat moisture. In addition to water vapor, heat is also taken off by convection. Due to the fact that the air-permeable layer in the case of a lasted shaft is arranged above the last insert of the outer shoe material, roughly the entire sole surface is available for water vapor exchange.

In one variant of the invention, with a shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottom functional layer, these are part of a sock-like functional layer bootie, in which a shaft area is formed by the shaft functional layer and a sole area is formed by the shaft-bottom functional layer.

In another variant of the invention with a shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottom functional layer, the shaft functional layer and the shaft-bottom functional layer are connected to each other at a lower shaft area and are sealed watertight with respect to each other at their shared boundary.

In one variant of the invention, the functional layer of the shaft functional layer and/or the shaft-bottom functional layer is part of a multilayer laminate that has at least one textile layer in addition to the functional layer. Frequently used laminates are two-, three- or four-layered, with a textile layer on one side or a textile layer on both sides of the functional layer.

In one variant of the invention, a shaft-bottom functional layer laminate and/or a shaft functional layer laminate are constructed with the laminate.

In one variant of the invention, the functional layer has a water vapor-permeable membrane. The membrane is preferably waterproof and water vapor-permeable. In a preferred variant, the functional layer has a membrane constructed with expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is situated beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer, which, for the case in which the shaft-bottom functional layer is part of a functional layer laminate, will mean that the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the functional layer laminate.

In one variant of the invention, at least one air-passage opening is arranged in the outer shaft material, such that it is situated at least partially at the same height as the air-permeable layer.

In one variant of the invention, at least two at least roughly opposite air-passage openings are arranged in the lower area of the outer shaft material in the transverse direction of the foot or the longitudinal direction of the foot. Convective air exchange is also made possible or promoted by this. Air exchange is strongly promoted by the relative movement of the shoe wearer with respect to the outside air. Air exchange is intensified in wind and/or during walking or running.

In another variant of the invention, the lower peripheral area of the outer shaft material has several air-passage openings arranged along the periphery of the shaft arrangement.

In one variant of the invention, the lower end of the outer shaft material has a separate air-permeable shaft material, which is attached to the outer shaft material and is therefore part of the outer shaft material. This air-permeable shaft material, which extends around the majority of the shaft periphery or even around the entire shaft periphery, has a plurality of air-passage openings due to its air-permeable structure. In one variant, the air-permeable shaft material is attached in the form of a mesh to the lower end of the outer shaft material. In other variants, the air-permeable shaft material can be constructed from a perforated or mesh-like material. This air-permeable shaft material can be designed to be stable, so that it imparts the required shape stability to the shaft, despite these air-passage openings, which extend almost or fully around the entire shaft periphery.

In one variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage opening has a total area of at least 50 mm², preferably at least 100 mm².

In another variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage opening is covered with an air-permeable protective material, for example a protective gauze or protective mesh made of metal or plastic, in order to inhibit the penetration of foreign objects, such as dirt or stones, through the air-passage opening. The air-permeable protective material can be situated in the area of the lower peripheral region of the outer shaft material along the air-permeable layer, specifically either on the outside of the air-passage opening or on the inside of the air-passage opening, between the outer shaft material and the air-permeable layer.

In one variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage opening can be sealed by device. The device serves as temporary protection against outer elements, at least against spray water, so that water cannot penetrate directly through the air-passage opening. The device can be designed in the form of a moveable device, for example, as a slide, by means of which the at least one air-passage opening can be partially or fully closed, in order to throttle or suppress air exchange between the exterior of the shoe and the air-permeable layer. This can be particularly advantageous at low temperatures (for example, in winter), since an unduly strong cooling effect can occur as a result of the removal of sweat moisture and the related cooling effect in conjunction with air exchange through the air-permeable layer. By closing the air-passage openings by means of the moveable device, excess water entry during walking in very wet surroundings can be counteracted.

In one variant of the invention, a ventilator or fan, incorporated, for example, in the air-permeable layer, ensures constant air exchange with the surroundings. The power of the fan can be controlled automatically, in order to keep a desired target temperature on the foot. The fan can be necessary especially during small or low relative movements between the shoe and the surrounding air and at high ambient temperatures, for a noticeable cooling effect.

In one variant of the invention, which involves a lasted shoe, in which a last insert of the outer shaft material on the sole side is glued onto a peripheral edge of the bottom of an inlay sole or insole (also known under the name AGO), the last insert and the inlay sole to which the last insert is glued are situated beneath the air-permeable layer.

However, the invention is not restricted to shoes with a lasted shaft, but can be used independently of the manner in which the lower area of the outer shaft material has been processed to acquire a shaft arrangement shaped on the shaft-bottom side. In addition to the lasted version, the known additional versions can also be used. As examples, we can mention the Strobel version, in which the lower area of the outer shaft material is stitched onto the periphery of an inlay sole by means of a so-called Strobel seam; the string version (also known as string lasting) in which a cord tunnel, for example, in the form of a spiral loop seam, is applied to the end area of the outer shaft material on the sole side, through which cord tunnel a moving tie cord is passed, by means of which the end area of the outer shaft material on the sole side can be pulled together; and the moccasin variant, in which the shaft, except for the vamp, and the shaft bottom are made in one piece from a piece of outer shaft material, generally leather.

In one variant of the invention, all components of the shoe that contribute to breathability are situated above a boundary plane between the shaft and sole. All components of the shoe, except for the outsole that touches the ground, are therefore part of the shaft arrangement. This shaft arrangement can be provided fully ready before the outsole is attached to the shaft arrangement in a second manufacturing step, separate in time and possibly in space, for production of the shoe. The outsole can be applied immediately after production of the shaft arrangement in a uniform passage through shoe manufacturing, or production of the shaft arrangement represents the end of a closed manufacturing step, whereupon the shaft arrangement obtained in this way is brought to another production location, where the shaft arrangement is provided with the outsole. This production location can be located in the same manufacturing plant in which the shaft arrangement is produced. The production location in which the shaft arrangement is provided with the outsole can, however, also be in an entirely different location from the manufacturing location of the shaft arrangement, so that an interruption of the manufacturing process can occur between the step of producing the shaft arrangement and the step of applying the outsole to the shaft arrangement, during which interruption the finished shaft arrangement is brought to the production location for application of the outsole to the shaft arrangement. Since all components of the shoe are accommodated in the shaft arrangement except the outsole, whereby not only the shaft-bottom functional layer but also the air-permeable layer are attached to the shaft bottom or form a part of the shaft bottom before the outsole is attached to the shaft arrangement, which can occur, for example, by molding on or gluing on, the production location responsible for applying the outsole to the shaft arrangement need not apply anything other than this outsole, for which normal ordinary methods and tools are sufficient. The more difficult and awkward part of shoe production, namely handling and assembling the functional layer and the air-permeable layer, is included in the production of the shaft arrangement, i.e., in a manufacturing phase, in which more complex and more complicated process steps are necessary, anyway, than in a process step in which only an outsole is attached to the shaft arrangement.

In one variant of the invention, the sole is additionally provided with at least one sole passage opening which extends through its thickness. This variant results in a shoe in the foot sole area of which a removal of sweat moisture and heat is made possible both in the vertical direction through the at least one sole passage opening and in the horizontal direction through the at least one air-passage opening of the outer shaft material. In addition, the at least one sole passage opening serves as an aid for improved runoff of water that has reached an area above the outsole.

In one variant of the invention, a penetration protection element, for example, in the form of a nail-protection plate, is arranged in or above the outsole, to produce a safety shoe. This prevents objects lying on the floor, such as nails, which could penetrate the outsole, from penetrating through it and the overlying additional elements of the sole structure and the shaft bottom into the shoe interior and injuring the foot of the user of the shoe. Such objects, such as nails, are trapped by the penetration protection element, which is a steel plate or a plastic plate, for example, with corresponding penetration resistance. Since passage openings that penetrate the outsole make no sense in such a safety shoe, because they are covered by the nail-protection plate, anyway, a horizontal lateral removal of sweat moisture remains exclusively in this type of shoe for ventilation in the foot sole area and therefore improvement of climate comfort.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable layer is formed as an air-permeable spacer structure, configured such that the air-permeable layer maintains a spacing between the layers situated beneath it and above it, even when stressed by the foot of the user of the shoe, so that the air permeability of the air-permeable layer is retained.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure is made to be at least partially elastic. Because of this, the walking comfort of the shoe is increased, because with this type of air-permeable spacer structure, cushioning and an easier rolling process during walking are achieved.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure is designed such that under maximal stress with the maximum weight of the shoe user to be expected corresponding to the shoe size in the corresponding shoe it yields elastically at most to the extent that even during such maximum stress, a significant part of the air conductivity of the spacer structure that forms the air-permeable layer is still retained. This stipulation for the air-permeable spacer structure ensures that the air-permeable spacer structure is not fully compressed with loss of its air permeability when stressed by the user of the shoe, but instead sufficiently retains the spacer function and thereby the air permeability of the spacer structure for the ventilation function, even when stressed by the user of the shoe.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure has a flat structure that forms a first support surface and a number of spacer elements extending away from the flat structure at right angles and/or at an angle between 0 and 90°. The ends of the spacer elements lying away from the flat structure then together define a surface by means of which a second support surface, facing away from the flat structure, can be formed.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer elements of the spacer structure are designed as knobs, the free knob ends together forming the second support surface mentioned.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure has two flat structures arranged parallel to each other, the two flat structures being joined to each other in an air-permeable manner with the spacer elements and held spaced from one another. Each of the flat structures then forms one of the two support surfaces of the spacer structure.

All the spacer elements need not have the same length in order to make the two support surfaces equidistant over the entire surface extension of the spacer structure. For special applications, it can be advantageous to make the spacer structure have different thicknesses in different zones or at different locations along its surface extension, in order to form a foot bed compatible with the foot, for example.

The spacer elements can be formed separately, in which case they are not joined to each other between the two support surfaces. However, there is also the possibility of allowing the spacer elements to touch between the two support surfaces or to fasten at least some of the contact sites formed in this manner to one another, for example, with a glue or by the fact that the spacer elements are made of materials that can be welded to each other, such as a material that becomes adhesive from heating.

The spacer elements can be rod- or thread-shaped individual elements or sections of a more complex structure, for example, a truss or lattice. The spacer elements can also be connected to each other in a zigzag or in the form of a cross-grating.

By selecting the material of the spacer elements and/or by selecting the slope angle of the spacer elements, and/or by selecting the percentage of contact sites on which adjacent spacer elements are attached to each other and/or the shape of the truss or lattice that is used, the rigidity and therefore the shape stability of the spacer structure can be adapted to the corresponding requirements, even under stress.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is designed to be corrugated or sawtooth-like. The two contact surfaces are then defined by the upper and lower wave peaks or the upper and lower sawtooth crests of the spacer structure.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is designed with a reinforced knit, wherein the reinforcement, for example, by gluing, for which a synthetic resin adhesive can be used, or by a thermal effect, in which the spacer structure is constructed with a thermoplastic material and this is heated for solidification to a softening point at which this material becomes tacky.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is constructed with a material chosen from the material group of polyolefins, polyamides, or polyesters.

In one variant of the invention, the spacer structure is constructed with fibers, at least some of which are arranged as spacers, perpendicular between the flat structures.

In one variant of the invention, the fibers are constructed with a flexible deformable material.

In one variant of the invention, the fibers consist of polyolefins, polyesters, or polyamide.

In one variant of the invention, the flat structures are constructed with open-pore woven, warp-knit, or knit textile materials.

In one variant of the invention, the air-permeable spacer structure is formed by two air-permeable flat structures arranged parallel to each other, which are joined to each other in an air-permeable manner by means of mono- or multifilaments and spaced at the same time.

In one variant of the invention, the flat structures are constructed with a material chosen from the material group of polyolefins, polyamides or polyesters.

In one variant of the invention, at least some of the mono- or multifilaments of the spacer structure are arranged as spacers, roughly perpendicular between the flat structures.

In one variant of the invention, the mono- or multifilaments consist of polyolefins and/or polyesters and/or polyamides.

An air-permeable spacer structure of the type mentioned, designed for use as an air-permeable layer in a shaft bottom of a shaft arrangement of a shoe, represents an independent inventive object.

The air-permeable layer or the air-permeable spacer structure that forms it has the function of a ventilation layer, the ventilation effect of which is due to a very low resistance to air flow. Air exchange causes an efficient removal of sweat moisture in the form of water vapor from the shoe interior to the shoe exterior.

Another advantage of the present invention is in the fact that, because of the arrangement of the air-permeable layer according to the invention in the shaft bottom area of the shaft arrangement, conventional soles can be used without additional modifications. In particular, in hiking shoes and trekking shoes, the border area between the sole and shaft arrangement is sealed from the outside along the shoe periphery with an additional sole band made of rubber. This band must also be perforated in the area of the air-passage openings. Shell soles can then be used for variants according to the invention if, for example, the air-passage openings are arranged in the shaft material above the shell edge, or if the additional sole band is in turn provided with one or more corresponding air-passage openings at the locations at which it comes to lie above the at least one air-passage opening of the outer shaft material.

The at least one air-passage opening can have any shape. In one variant of the invention, the at least one air-passage opening has a round shape, for example, circular or elliptical. The shape of the at least one air-passage opening, however, can also be angular, for example, it can have the shape of a square or an elongated rectangle.

Definitions

Horizontal, vertical:

Apply during viewing of the corresponding object, for example, a sole or shaft arrangement, in a defined position in which this object lies on a flat substrate.

Inside, outside:

Inside means on the side that faces the shoe interior; outside means on the side that faces the shoe exterior.

Top, bottom:

Top means on the side that faces away from the walking surface of the sole of the shoe; bottom means on the side that faces the walking surface of the sole of the shoe or the side that faces the substrate on which the shoe stands, again under the assumption that the substrate is flat.

Shoe:

Footwear with a closed upper part (shaft arrangement), having a foot insertion opening and at least one sole or a sole composite.

Shaft arrangement:

Encloses the foot completely up to a foot-insertion opening, and in addition to the shaft, also has a shaft bottom. The shaft arrangement can also have one or more linings, for example, in the form of a liner and/or a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer and/or one or more insulation layers.

Outer shaft material:

A material that forms the outside of the shaft and therefore forms the shaft arrangement and consists, for example, of leather, textile, plastic, or other known materials or combinations thereof or is constructed with them. Generally, these materials and combinations are water vapor-permeable. The lower peripheral area of the outer shaft material on the sole side describes an area adjacent to the upper edge of the sole or above a boundary plane between the shaft and the sole.

Shaft bottom:

A lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side, in which the shaft arrangement is fully or at least partially closed. The shaft bottom is situated between the foot sole and the outsole. In shoes with a lasted or Strobel shaft, the shaft bottom can be formed with cooperation of an inlay sole (insole). The shaft bottom can also be provided with a shaft-bottom functional layer or a shaft-bottom functional layer laminate, wherein this laminate can also assume the function of the inlay sole.

Inlay sole (insole):

An inlay sole is the part of the shaft bottom to which a lower shaft end area on the sole side is attached. The inlay sole is water vapor-permeable, for example, the inlay sole is formed from a water vapor-permeable material or is configured to be water vapor-permeable by means of openings (holes, perforations), which are formed through the thickness of the inlay sole. The inlay sole has a water vapor permeability number Ret of less than 150 m²×Pa×W⁻¹. Water vapor permeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02/94) and ISO 11092 (1993).

Sole:

A shoe has at least one outsole, but it can also have several types of soles arranged one above another.

Outsole:

Outsole is understood to mean that part of the sole area that touches the ground/floor or produces the main contact with the ground/floor. The outsole has at least one walking surface that touches the floor.

Mid-sole:

In the event that the outsole is not directly applied to the shaft arrangement, a mid-sole can be inserted between the outsole and shaft arrangement. The mid-sole can serve as a cushion, damping or as filler material, for example.

Bootie:

A sock-like inner lining of a shaft arrangement is referred to as a bootie. A bootie forms a sack-like lining of the shaft arrangement that essentially fully covers the interior of the footwear.

Functional layer:

Water vapor-permeable and/or waterproof layer, for example, in the form of a membrane or a correspondingly treated or finished material, for example, a textile with plasma treatment. A functional layer in the form of a shaft bottom functional layer can form at least one layer of a shaft bottom of the shaft arrangement, but it can also be additionally provided as a shaft functional layer that at least partially lines the shaft; when both the shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottom functional layer are present, they can be parts of a multilayer, generally a two-, three- or four-layer laminate; if a shaft functional layer and a separate shaft-bottom functional layer are used instead of a functional-layer bootie, these are sealed so as to be waterproof in the lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side, for example; the shaft-bottom functional layer and shaft functional layer can also be formed from one material.

Appropriate materials for the waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer are especially polyurethane, polyolefins, and polyesters, including polyether esters and laminates thereof, as described in documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,418 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,870. In one variant, the functional layer is constructed with microporous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described, for example, in documents U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,390, and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, provided with hydrophilic impregnation agents and/or hydrophilic layers; see, for example, document U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,041. Microporous functional layers are understood to mean functional layers whose average effective pore size is between 0.1 and 2 μm, preferably between 0.2 μm and 0.3 pμm.

Laminate:

A laminate is a composite consisting of several layers permanently joined together, generally by mutual gluing or welding. In a functional layer laminate, a waterproof and/or water vapor-permeable functional layer is provided with at least one textile layer. The at least one textile layer serves mostly to protect the functional layer during its processing. This refers to a two-layer laminate. A three-layer laminate consists of a waterproof, water vapor-permeable functional layer embedded in two textile layers. The connection between the functional layer and the at least one textile layer occurs by means of a discontinuous glue layer or a continuous water vapor-permeable glue layer, for example. In one variant, a glue can be applied spot-wise between the functional layer and the one or two textile layers. Spot-wise or discontinuous application of glue occurs because a full-surface layer of a glue that is not water vapor-permeable itself would block the water vapor permeability of the functional layer.

Waterproof:

A functional layer/functional-layer laminate is considered “waterproof,” optionally including the seams provided on the functional layer/functional-layer laminate, if it guarantees a water-entry pressure of at least 1×10⁴ Pa. The functional layer material preferably withstands a water-entry pressure of more than 1×10⁵ Pa. The water-entry pressure is then measured according to a test method in which distilled water at 20±2° C. is applied to a sample of 100 cm² of the functional layer with increasing pressure. The pressure increase of the water is 60±3 cm H₂O per minute. The water-entry pressure then corresponds to the pressure at which water first appears on the other side of the sample. Details concerning the procedure are stipulated in ISO standard 0811 from the year 1981.

Whether a shoe is watertight can be tested, for example, with a centrifuge arrangement of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,807.

Water vapor-permeable:

A functional layer/functional-layer laminate is considered “water vapor-permeable” if it has a water vapor-permeability number Ret of less than 150 m²×Pa×W⁻¹. Water vapor permeability is tested according to the Hohenstein skin model. This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (02/94) and ISO 11092 (1993).

Air-permeable layer:

The air-permeable layer has a three-dimensional structure that permits air passage in at least the horizontal direction. This structure has a very low flow resistance for air. The air-permeable layer permits the absorption and transport of heat and water vapor from the shoe interior by means of convection. The air-permeable layer contains an air volume of at least 50%, in one variant more than 85%. The thickness of the air-permeable layer can be less than 12 mm, wherein the thickness in one variant is less than 8 mm. The air-permeable layer has a basis weight of less than 2000 g/m², preferably less than 800 g/m². The air-permeable layer covers at least 50% and preferably at least 70% of the foot standing surface of the shaft bottom. The air-permeable layer also has a structure with a stiffness such that it is not or is not significantly compressed by the foot of the user during running.

A spacer structure as known from DE 102 40 802 A2 is suitable as the air-permeable layer, for example, but there it is in conjunction with an infrared-reflecting material for clothing articles.

The air-permeable layer can be a shaped structure from polymers, a 3D spacer structure, or a textile structure reinforced with polymer resins, for example. The air-permeable layer can also be produced by an injection-molding method. In one variant, it can have a channel- or tube-like configuration or can be formed from polymer or metal foams.

Shaped structures from polymers are based on polymer monofilaments, woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics or lays, which are formed by deformation and fixation of the materials to a rib, knob, or zigzag structure. The structure can also be a three-dimensional structure, for example, from polypropylene, in the form of a wave-like or other shape of filament lay brought to a 3D structure. Deformation and fixation can be carried out, for example, by means of a heated structuring roll or as a thermoforming process. The shaped structures can additionally be laminated with a woven or nonwoven fabric in order to improve dimensional stability. One possible method for producing such shaped structures is described, for example, in patent application WO 2006/056398 A1.

The air-permeable layer can also be formed from a 3D spacer structure. Such spacer structures can generally consist of polyester multi- or monofilaments. Spacer structures can be spacer knits, spacer warp-knits, spacer nonwoven fabrics or spacer woven fabrics. Knitting technology makes it possible to vary the top and bottom of the product surfaces and the spacer threads (pole threads) independently of each other. Thus the surfaces and the hardness, including the spring characteristic, can be adjusted according to the individual application. Spacer structures are characterized by very high air circulation in all directions, even under stress. The spacer structure, for example, in the form of a spacer knit, can also be produced by impregnating textile fabrics that are impregnated before or after deformation to a three-dimensional structure with synthetic resin and thus acquire the desired rigidity. Inorganic fibers, such as glass fibers or carbon fibers, can also be chosen as the fiber material for the spacer structure.

TABLE 1 Selection of possible usable materials for the air-permeable layer Basis Air Thickness weight volume Sample Manufacturer Characteristic Product name in mm in g/m² in % Polymer 1 Colbond BV 3D mat ENKA spacer: 3-12 100-2000 >70 Polyester structure from 8006H >90 Polyamides monofilaments, 5006C Polyolefins thermally 7004H deformed to a zigzag structure 2 Colbond BV 3D mat ENKA spacer: 3-12 100-2000 >70 Polyester structure from 7008 >90 Polyamides monofilaments Polyolefins that are welded to one another on their inner section points 3 Müller 3D spacer 3-mesh 3-12 100-1500 Polyester Textile structure monofilament or multifilament 4 Tylex 3D spacer Tyl-space 3-12 100-1500 Polyester Letovice structure monofilament A.S. or multifilament

To summarize, the air-permeable layer should maintain a spacing between the foot and the outsole and form a number of passages that produce the least possible resistance to air flow and therefore contribute to the transport of water vapor and heat without adsorbing the water vapor. The air-permeable layer has no or at least essentially no capillary effect. The air-permeable layer is closed on the bottom by the inlay sole and/or a filler layer and/or the outsole, and is open at least on its periphery in a manner that permits air permeability. The air-permeable layer is preferably also open on its upper surface in a manner that permits air permeability. The upper surface of the air-permeable layer directed toward the shoe interior in one variant is directed toward a waterproof and optionally also water vapor-permeable functional layer.

The air permeability of the spacer structures is determined according to DIN EN ISO 9237 “Determination of Air Permeability of Textile Fabrics.” In contrast to DIN EN ISO 9237, the flow rate and pressure difference are not measured perpendicular to the surface, but along the surface. For this purpose, a defined spacer channel bounded by closed cover surfaces is constructed, in which an air stream is supplied from one side. The pressure difference between the inlet and outlet from the channel and the flow rate at the air outlet are measured. At pressure differences between 0 and 100 Pa at the end of a channel between 300 mm and 1300 mm long, flow rates between 0 and 1 m/s were measured. This means that a spacer structure that no longer generates a measurable flow at the outlet at a static pressure up to 100 Pa and a flow channel length of 300 mm would not be suitable for the present invention.

Air-passage opening:

Includes at least one opening in the lower peripheral area of the outer shaft material on the sole side. At least two roughly opposite air-passage openings are preferably present. The air-passage openings can be introduced by means of punching out, cutting out, or perforation in the outer shaft material, for example. The air-passage opening can be any shape, for example, round or angular. The air-passage opening can be protected with an air-permeable surface-protection material, for example, in the form of a mesh or gauze, against penetration by foreign objects. The protective material can be finished to be hydrophobic. The total area of the at least one air-passage opening is at least 50 mm², preferably at least 100 mm². In an alternative variant, the air-passage opening can also be formed directly by an air-permeable material, which can be used as outer shaft material or as a component of the outer shaft material, and it inherently has the necessary air permeability, so that no additional openings need be created.

The invention will now be further explained by means of variants. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective oblique view of a first embodiment example of a shoe designed according to the invention, with several air-passage openings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective oblique view of a second embodiment example of a shoe designed according to the invention, with several air-passage openings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective oblique view of a third embodiment example of a shoe designed according to the invention, with several partially closable air-passage openings in the outer shaft material;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective oblique view of a fourth embodiment example of a shoe designed according to the invention, with an air-permeable grid-like component of the outer shaft material enclosing the shaft periphery;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in a first variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in a second variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in a third variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in a fourth variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic view of a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe designed according to one of the variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in a fifth variant of its shaft arrangement;

FIG. 10 shows a first variant of an air-permeable layer usable for a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 11 shows a second variant of an air-permeable layer usable for a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 12 shows a third variant of an air-permeable layer usable for a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 13 shows a fourth variant of an air-permeable layer usable for a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 14 shows a fifth variant of an air-permeable layer usable for a shoe according to the invention;

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment example of a shoe 10, which has a shaft arrangment 12 and a sole 14 applied to the lower end area of the shaft arrangment 12, wherein this embodiment example involves an outsole. The shaft arrangment 12, in the usual manner, has on its upper end a foot-insertion opening 12 a, from which a lace area 12 b extends in the direction of the forefoot area of the shaft arrangment 12. In the lower end area of the shaft arrangment 12, a number of air-passage openings 20 arranged around part of the periphery of the shaft arrangment 12 can be seen. In the front part of the forefoot area, which corresponds roughly to the toe area of the shoe, no air-passage openings are provided in this embodiment. The air-passage openings 20 are uniformly distributed around the remaining peripheral area of the shaft arrangment 12, with roughly the same spacing, and are formed to be circular. The air-passage openings 20 are also provided with an air-permeable protective covering 22, in order to prevent the penetration of large particles, such as stones. The protective covering 22 can cover the air-passage opening from the outside and/or from the inside. A protective covering 22 can be applied to each individual air-passage opening 20, or an overall protective covering 22 can extend over all air-passage openings. The protective covering 22 can be designed, for example, to be gauze-like or mesh-like.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment example of a shoe 10 that largely agrees with the first embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, but differs from the first embodiment example with respect to the arrangement and shape of the air-passage openings 20. The air-passage openings 20 of the shoe shown in FIG. 2 have an elongated rectangular shape in the peripheral direction of the shaft arrangment 12 and are situated in the forefoot area or heel area of the shaft periphery in the lower end area of the shaft arrangement. The air-passage openings 20 also have a gauze-like protective covering 22.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment example of a shoe 10, which largely agrees with the second embodiment example shown in FIG. 2, but differs from the second embodiment example with respect to the arrangement of the air-passage openings 20. In the third embodiment example, the air-passage openings 20 also have an elongated rectangular shape in the peripheral direction of the shaft arrangment 12. However, air-passage openings 20 that are at least roughly opposite each other in the transverse direction of the foot are situated only in the forefoot area of the shaft periphery. The air-passage openings 20 are covered with a grid-like protective covering 22.

FIG. 3 also shows a device 45 that is also representative for all variants of FIGS. 1 to 4, by means of which the air-passage openings 20 can be closed as required. The movable device 45 shown includes means by which an at least water-repellant material temporarily closes the air-passage opening 20. In the variant shown, an at least water-repellant material can be pushed by means of a slide device along the shaft periphery over the air-passage opening 20, until it is closed. The slide device can be provided for one air-passage opening or for several air-passage openings. The movable device 45 makes it possible for the air-passage opening and therefore the air-permeable layer (not shown) of the shaft arrangement 12 to be temporarily protected against the penetration of liquids such as water. Closure of the air-passage openings can also be advantageous in the winter or at very cold temperatures, since unduly severe cooling of the foot can thereby be prevented. Plugs, slides, flaps, a continuous band, and all other closure mechanisms can be used as devices for closure of the air-passage openings. Possible materials for closure of the air-passage opening can be plastics, foams, coated textiles, TPU, TPE, silicone, polyolefins, polyamides, and vulcanizates.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment example of a shoe 10, which largely agrees with the first embodiment example shown in FIG. 1, but differs from the first embodiment example in that the air-passage openings 20 are formed by an air-permeable material that extends around the entire periphery of the lower shaft area. Particularly high air exchange can thereby be achieved between the air-permeable layer and the outer surroundings of the shoe 10, with a correspondingly effective removal of heat and moisture from the shoe interior to the outer surroundings of the shoe 10. The air-permeable material is a component of the outer shaft material. In one variant, it can be made of a separated perforated, grid-like or mesh-like material, which is attached in the lower peripheral area of the outer shaft material on the sole side, or the outer shaft material itself is correspondingly treated mechanically in this lower peripheral area, for example, by punching or perforation. Meshes, gauzes, gauze-like textiles, open-pore foams, air-permeable textiles, and combinations of these materials can be used as the air-permeable material. These materials can consist, for example, of polyesters, polyamides, polyolefins, TPE, TPU, or vulcanizates.

All variants in FIGS. 1 to 4 have the common feature that at least two air-passage openings are at least roughly opposite each other in the transverse direction of the foot or the longitudinal direction of the foot. Because of this, air flow can form through the air-permeable layer, which is essential during the removal of water vapor and heat from the shoe interior by convection. The air flow can also be actively generated with an incorporated fan.

The variants in FIGS. 1 to 4 can also be combined with one another.

FIGS. 5 to 9 each show a cross-section through part of the forefoot area of a shoe 10, especially along line A-A in FIG. 1. While such a line is also shown only in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 5 to 9 also apply to the variants shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. FIGS. 5 to 9 each show a shaft arrangment 12 with a sole 14 applied to it, which represents an outsole in the shown variant. The variants shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 differ with respect to the corresponding shaft arrangment 12.

All shaft arrangements 12 of the variants in FIGS. 5 to 9 have an outer shaft material 16, on the inside of which a lining is situated, which has either a bootie functional layer 34 (FIGS. 5 and 9), a shaft functional layer 37 (FIGS. 6 and 7), or only a liner layer 18 without a functional layer (FIG. 8). In all five variants, a shaft-bottom functional layer is situated in the area of the shaft bottom 15. The shaft functional layer and the shaft-bottom functional layer can be common parts of a functional layer bootie 39 (FIG. 5 or 9), or they can be separate functional-layer parts that are sealed with respect to one another (FIGS. 6 and 7). In FIG. 8, only the shoe bottom has a functional layer. All these functional layers in the embodiment examples shown are part of a multilayer functional layer laminate, of a three-layer functional layer laminate 24, 27, or 28 in the variants shown, with a functional layer 34, 37, or 38, which is embedded between two textiles 25 and 26. The textiles in 25 and 26 can usually be one textile layer each. The shaft functional layer 37, or the shaft functional layer laminate 27 (FIGS. 6 and 7), or the liner layer 18 (FIG. 8) can be attached to an inlay sole 30 by means of a Strobel seam 32. An air-permeable layer 40 (FIGS. 5 to 9) is situated beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer 38 or the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28, specifically at least at about the height of the at least one air-passage opening 20. The lower end area of the outer shaft material 16 on the sole side is either glue-lasted or attached as a last insert 16 a by means of lasting glue (not shown) on the bottom of the inlay sole 30 (FIGS. 5 and 9) or the air-permeable layer 40 (FIGS. 6 and 7). Or the lower end area of the shaft upper material 16 on the sole side is connected by means of an additional Strobel seam 33 to an additional inlay sole 30 a (FIG. 8).

In all variants shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the outer material 16 is constructed with a water vapor-permeable material. The inlay sole 30 arranged above the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28 (FIGS. 6 to 8) and the liner layer 18 (FIG. 8) are also constructed with water vapor-permeable material. All layers of the shaft bottom situated beneath the air-permeable layer 40, such as the inlay sole 30 in FIG. 5, the filling layers 31 in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the additional inlay sole 30 a in FIG. 8 need not have water vapor permeability.

In the variants of FIGS. 5 to 9, the air-passage openings 20 of the outer shaft material 16 are situated directly above the angled area of the inserted lower end area of the outer shaft material 16, specifically at a height such that the air-passage openings 20 are at least at roughly the same height as the peripheral side surfaces 42 of the air-permeable layer 40. In order to achieve particularly effective air passage between the air-permeable layer 40 and the air-passage openings 20, the air-passage openings 20 preferably have a vertical extension roughly equal to the vertical thickness of the air-permeable layer 40, and the air-passage openings 20 and the air-permeable layer 40 are aligned with respect to each other in the vertical direction such that a horizontal middle plane of the air-permeable layer 40 and a center axis of the corresponding air-passage opening 20 are at least at roughly the same vertical height.

In all five variants, the sole 14 is connected to the lower area of the shaft arrangment 12 in such a way that it is connected to the bottom of the lower end area 16 a of the outer shaft material 16 forming the insert, and to the area of the bottom of the shaft bottom that is not covered by this insert. Unevenness on the bottom of the shaft bottom, caused in particular by a last insert 16 a of the outer shaft material 16, can be compensated by a filler layer 31. The sole 14 can be constructed with waterproof material, in which rubber or a rubber-like elastic plastic, for example, an elastomer, is involved. The sole 14, however, can also consist of a water vapor-permeable material, such as leather. The sole 14 can be a prefabricated sole glued to the shaft arrangment 12 or a sole molded onto the shaft arrangment 12. A walking surface of this sole, situated on the bottom of the sole 14, is provided in the usual manner with a groove pattern, in order to form profile protrusions that improve the anti-slip characteristics of the shoe 10 provided with such a sole 14. In all variants shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, an upper edge 14 a of the sole 14 ends beneath the lower end of the corresponding air-passage opening 20.

In a manner not shown, especially in the case of walking or hiking shoes, a rubber strip serving mostly as pebble protection can be applied to the area of the outer shaft material 16 situated directly above the upper edge 14 a of the sole 14, i.e., where the at least one passage opening 20 is situated, for example by gluing to the outer shaft material 16 and the upper edge 14 a of the sole, which has the same color as the sole 14, for example. In order to avoid blocking the air permeability of the air-passage openings 20, the rubber edge on the air-passage openings 20 is provided in turn with air-passage opening at corresponding sites.

In all variants of FIGS. 5 to 9, the air-passage openings 20 are provided with an air-permeable protective covering 22, which is formed, for example, by a gauze or mesh made of metal or plastic or by a textile material with high air permeability and therefore also high water vapor permeability. The protective covering 22 can be situated on the outside (FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 9) or inside (FIG. 7) of the corresponding air-passage opening 20. Either each air-passage opening 20 has its own protective covering 22 applied or a common protective covering strip is applied to some of the air-passage openings 20 or all air-passage openings 20, which strip extends over the corresponding number of air-passage openings 20.

FIGS. 5 to 9 will now be considered in additional detail.

In the variant according to FIG. 5, the functional layer on the inside of the outer shaft material 16 and the functional layer on the top of the air-permeable layer 40 are both part of a sock-like bootie 39 that lines the entire shaft arrangment 12 on its inside, except for the foot-insertion opening 12 a. Such a bootie is usually stitched together from several functional layer parts, wherein the stitching sites are glued over with a watertight seam-sealing strip and made watertight in this way. However, the bootie could also be produced from one piece of material, which would then no longer entail the need for sewing together and sealing. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the bootie is constructed with the already mentioned functional layer laminate 24. The shaft arrangment 12 is therefore waterproof, and after addition of a sole 14, a waterproof shoe is present. The air-permeable layer 40 is arranged in the shaft bottom area directly beneath the functional layer laminate 24 of the bootie 39. The air-permeable layer 40 then extends over the entire shaft-bottom area, and the entire foot sole is then available for water vapor exchange and heat exchange. Beneath the air-permeable layer 40 the inlay sole 40 is situated, on the bottom of which the last insert 16 a of the lower end area on the sole side is attached by means of lasting glue (not shown). Instead of using a separate inlay sole, it is also possible in certain variants to make the bottom or lower support surface of the air-permeable layer 40 correspondingly stable, so that the last insert can be attached to this bottom. In such an embodiment, the air-permeable layer additionally assumes the function of an inlay sole.

In the variant according to FIG. 6, separate functional layers 37 and 38, which belong to the shaft functional layer laminate 27 and the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28, respectively, are situated on the inside of outer material 16 and in the area of shaft bottom 15. An inserted lower end area 27 a of the shaft functional layer laminate 27 on the sole side is firmly stitched to the inlay sole 30 by mean of a Strobel seam 32. The shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28 is situated beneath the inlay sole 30 and extends to beneath the inserted end area 27 a of the shaft functional layer laminate 27 and is joined in a waterproof manner to the end area 27 a by means of a sealing material (not shown), for example, in the form of a sealing glue, so that the shoe interior is waterproof all around because of the cooperation of the functional layers 37 and 38, which are sealed with respect to each other, with the exception of the foot-insertion opening 12 a and the lace area 12 b of the shoe 10, as when a functional layer bootie is used. It is also possible to connect the shaft-bottom functional layer above the inlay sole to the shaft functional layer laminate in a waterproof manner. Since the shaft-bottom functional layer 38 extends to beneath the inserted end area 27 a and thereby beyond the Strobel seam 32, the Strobel seam 32 is also sealed from the shaft-bottom functional layer 38. The air-permeable layer 40 is arranged directly beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate 28. The last insert 16 a of the outer material 16 is attached to the bottom or lower support surface of the air-permeable layer 40 by means of a lasting glue (not shown). The air-permeable layer therefore additionally assumes the function of an inlay sole. In principle, however, it would also be possible to provide a separate inlay sole beneath the air-permeable layer. Unevenness on the bottom of the shaft bottom 15 caused by the last insert 16 a of the outer material 16 is compensated by the filler layer 31, in the manner already mentioned.

The variant shown in FIG. 7 differs from the variant shown in FIG. 6 only in that the protective covering 22 is not arranged on the outside, but on the inside of the outer shaft material 16, directly along the peripheral side surfaces 42 of the air-permeable layer 40 and on the inside, in front of the air-passage opening 20.

The variant shown in FIG. 8 differs from the variants according to FIGS. 5 to 7, on the one hand, in that the outer material 16 is provided only with a liner layer 18, but not with a shaft functional layer, except for a lower area close to the shaft bottom 15 and, on the other hand, by the fact that two inlay soles and two Strobel seams are present. The liner layer 18 has a liner layer insert 18 a on a lower end on the sole side, which insert is joined to an inlay sole 30 by means of a Strobel seam 32. The lower end area 16 a of the outer shaft material 16 on the sole side is connected by means of an additional Strobel seam 33 to an additional inlay sole 30 a. The shaft-bottom functional layer 38, which can again be part of the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate, has an upward protruding collar 38 a on its outer periphery that extends into a gap between the outer material 16 and the liner layer 18. The air-permeable layer 40 is arranged between the shaft bottom functional layer 38 or the shaft-bottom functional layer laminate and the additional inlay sole 30 a. The shaft-bottom functional layer laminate can also be arranged above the inlay sole.

However, the upper shaft area in the variant according to FIG. 8 is not waterproof. The shoe according to FIG. 8 is therefore particularly suitable for a use where wetness from the top is less of a concern than wetness from the bottom and from the side, i.e., for walking or hiking in moist surroundings, when it is not raining or when one is standing for only a shorter time in the rain.

The variant shown in FIG. 9 essentially corresponds to the variant shown in FIG. 5. In contrast to FIG. 5, the inlay sole 30 is configured such that the surface of the inlay sole 30 directed toward the air-permeable layer 40 is raised in the center at an angle and protrudes into the air-permeable layer. The lower support surface of the air-permeable layer 40 is therefore raised or pressed according to the angular elevation of the inlay sole 30. As a result of this, two sloped planes are formed within the air-permeable layer, which run downward from the center in the direction of the peripheral side surfaces 42 and thus facilitate runoff of any water present in the air-permeable layer 40. Such a configuration of the inlay sole 30 can also be provided for the variants in FIGS. 5 to 8.

Different variants of spacer structures 60 are shown as examples in FIGS. 10 to 14, which are suitable for the impermeable layer 40 according to the invention. All these spacer structures have the common feature that they form two support surfaces spaced from each other, wherein the spacer structure lies with the lower support surface on the corresponding substrate and its upper support surface serves as a support surface for the layer situated above the spacer structure, which can be the bottom area of the functional layer bootie (FIG. 5 or 9) or the shaft-bottom functional laminate (FIGS. 6 to 8). The two support surfaces are either both formed by a flat structure, and are held at a spacing from each other by means of spacers situated between them, at least the upper one of which is air permeable (FIG. 11), or only the lower support surface is formed by a flat structure, from which spacer elements protrude, the free ends of which form support points that together have the function of the upper support surface (FIGS. 10, 12, and 14). Or else there is neither a lower nor an upper flat structure, but a single flat structure which is brought into a corrugated or zigzag form with lower and upper wave or tooth crests that define the lower or upper support surface (FIG. 13).

The spacer structures shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 will now be considered in more detail.

In the variant shown in FIG. 10 of a spacer structure 60 appropriate as an air-permeable layer 40, roughly hemispherical protrusions or bulges 65 bulge upward from a lower flat structure 64, whose upper crests define an upper support surface. In one variant, this spacer structure 60 consists of an initially flat knit or solid material which, after it has been brought to the form shown, is stiff or stiffened by a deep-drawing process, for example, such that it retains this shape even under the stress to which it is exposed during walking with the shoe equipped with this spacer structure. In addition to a deep-drawing process, other steps already mentioned can also be used, namely deformation and stiffening by a thermoforming process or impregnation with a synthetic resin that cures to the desired form and stiffness.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment example for a spacer structure 60 suitable as an air-permeable layer 40, whose upper and lower support surfaces are formed by two parallel air-permeable flat structures 62 and 64 that are chosen, for example, from the group of polyolefins, polyamides, and polyesters, wherein the flat structures 62 and 64 are joined to each other in an air-permeable manner by support fibers 66 and are simultaneously spaced. At least some of the fibers 66 are arranged as spacers, at least roughly perpendicular, between the flat structures 62 and 64. The fibers 66 are made of a flexible, deformable material, such as polyester or polypropylene. Air can flow through the flat structures 62 and 64 and between the fibers 66. The flat structures 62 and 64 are of open-pore woven, warp-knit, or knit textile materials. Such a spacer structure 60 can be the already mentioned spacer knit available from the Tylex Co. or the Muller Textile Co.

The spacer structure 60 shown in FIG. 12 has a structure similar to the spacer structure shown in FIG. 10, but it consists of a knit of knit fibers or knit filaments that is brought into this form and consolidated in this form by a thermal process or impregnation with synthetic resin.

FIG. 13 shows a variant of a spacer structure 60 with a zigzag or a sawtooth profile, to which an initially flat material has been shaped, such that the upper and lower crests 60 a and 60 b define the upper and lower support surface of this spacer structure 60. The spacer structure 60 of this form can also be formed by the already mentioned methods and reinforced to the desired stiffness.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment example of a spacer structure 60 suitable as an air-permeable layer 40 according to the invention. In this variant, spacer elements are formed not by protrusions or bulges from the single lower flat structure 68, but by fiber bundles 70 that protrude upward from the flat structure 68 and whose upper free ends together define the upper support surface. The fiber bundle 70 can then be applied by flocking the lower flat structure 68. 

1. A shoe having a) a shaft arrangement and a sole, wherein: b) the shaft arrangement has b.1) an outer shaft material and b.2) an air-permeable layer arranged in a shaft bottom; c) the air-permeable layer is arranged in a lower area of the shaft arrangement on the sole side above the sole; d) the air-permeable layer has a three-dimensional structure that permits air passage at least in the horizontal direction; and e) the outer shaft material has at least one air-passage opening in a lower peripheral area on the sole side, which opening connects the air-permeable layer to the outer surroundings in such a way that air can be exchanged between the outer surroundings and the air-permeable layer.
 2. The shoe according to claim 1 that has a water vapor-permeable functional layer at least in a lower area of the shaft arrangement that faces the sole, the air-permeable layer being arranged beneath the functional layer.
 3. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the functional layer is waterproof.
 4. The shoe according to claim 2 with a shaft functional layer and a shaft-bottom functional layer.
 5. The shoe according to claim 4, with a sock-like functional layer bootie, in which a shaft area is formed at least partially by the shaft functional layer and a shaft bottom area is formed by the shaft-bottom functional layer.
 6. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein the functional layer of the shaft functional layer and/or the shaft bottom functional layer is part of an at least two-layer laminate.
 7. The shoe according to claim 6, wherein the laminate is a shaft-bottom functional layer laminate and/or a shaft functional layer laminate.
 8. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the functional layer has a water vapor-permeable membrane.
 9. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the functional layer has a membrane constructed with expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE).
 10. The shoe according to claim 4, wherein the air-permeable layer is situated beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer.
 11. The shoe according to claim 10, wherein the air-permeable layer is situated directly beneath the shaft-bottom functional layer.
 12. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the air-permeable layer is designed to be at least water vapor-permeable in the direction toward the functional layer.
 13. The shoe according to claim 2, wherein the at least one air-passage opening is arranged in the outer shaft material in such a way that it is situated at least partially at the same height as the air-permeable layer.
 14. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the at least one air-passage opening has a total surface of at least 50 mm².
 15. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the outer shaft material has at least two at least roughly opposite air-passage openings in the foot transverse direction or foot longitudinal direction.
 16. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein a lower area of the outer shaft material on the sole side forms a last insert, and the air-permeable layer is arranged above the last insert of the outer shaft material.
 17. The shoe-according to claim 1, wherein an additional inlay sole is arranged beneath the air-permeable layer.
 18. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein a penetration-protection element is arranged in or above
 19. The shoe according to claim 1, in which the air-permeable layer is embodied as an air-permeable spacer structure.
 20. The shoe according to claim 18, whose air-permeable spacer structure has a flat structure and a plurality of spacer elements extending away from the flat structure, vertically and/or at an angle between 0 and 90°.
 21. The shoe according to claim 20, in whose spacer structure the spacer elements are embodied as knobs.
 22. The shoe according to claim 20, wherein the air-permeable spacer structure is constructed with two parallel arranged flat structures, and the two flat structures are joined to each other and held spaced from one another in an air-permeable manner by means of the spacer elements.
 23. The shoe according to claim 19, whose spacer structure is constructed with a reinforced knit.
 24. The shoe according to at claim 19, whose spacer structure is constructed to be corrugated or sawtooth-shaped.
 25. The shoe according to claim 1, in which the at least one air-passage opening has any shape, for example, round or angular,
 26. The shoe according to claim 1, in which the at least one air-passage opening is covered with an air-permeable protective material, for example, in the form of a gauze or mesh.
 27. The shoe according to claim 1, in which the at least one air-passage opening can be sealed by means of a device.
 28. An air-permeable spacer structure designed for use as an air-permeable layer in a shaft bottom of a shaft arrangement of a shoe, wherein the air-permeable spacer structure has a flat structure and a plurality of spacer elements extending away from the flat structure vertically and/or at an angle between 0° and 90°.
 29. The air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28, whose spacer elements are embodied as knobs.
 30. The air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28, which is constructed with two flat structures arranged parallel to each other, which are joined to and held spaced from one another in an air-permeable manner by means of the spacer elements.
 31. The air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28 constructed with a reinforced knit.
 32. The air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28, which is designed to be corrugated or sawtooth-shaped.
 33. The air-permeable spacer structure according to claim 28, wherein the spacer structure is constructed at least partially with monofilament and/or multifilament threads and at least some of the monofilament and/or multifilament threads are arranged as spacers between them, vertically and/or at an angle to the flat structures. 